NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) leader Praful Patel has become yet another political leader to be given a clean chit by the CBI after being accused of corruption, eight months after his alleged collaboration with the BJP and subsequent joining of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ranks to share power with Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) in Maharashtra.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a closure report in the Air India-Indian Airlines merger case against Patel, amidst the allegation that the BJP has been using the national investigation agencies to silence or pressure its political opponents into joining their ranks. It is evident that no national investigation agency is pursuing any political leader who has switched either to the BJP or any of its allies.
The Air India-Indian Airlines merger case, marred by allegations of corruption and collusion, implicates high-profile personalities including NCP leader Praful Patel.
Eight months after Patel's surprising move to join the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the CBI's closure report raises eyebrows and fuels speculation about the trajectory of the investigation.
Patel, along with Ajit Pawar and other NCP leaders, made headlines when they crossed party lines to join forces with the NDA. However, Patel's involvement in the Air India-Indian Airlines merger case has remained a contentious issue, with him being a prime suspect due to his tenure as Union Civil Aviation Minister during the merger.
The case, which has been under intense scrutiny since its inception, revolves around allegations of irregularities in the merger process, including the dispersal of profitable Air India routes to private airlines during 2008-09. Middleman Deepak Talwar's alleged role in facilitating these actions has further complicated matters, with investigations pointing to his proximity to Patel and other aviation officials.
The CBI's closure report, filed on March 19 in the court of Special Judge (CBI), Prashant Kumar, has set the stage for a potentially contentious legal battle. Scheduled for consideration on April 15, the report's acceptance could have far-reaching implications, potentially paving the way for Patel's exoneration and raising questions about the integrity of the other FIRs and chargesheets related to the merger case.
The probe, initiated in May 2017 following a Supreme Court order, has been a long and arduous journey for investigators, with multiple FIRs and chargesheets.
Patel's political manoeuvres have added another dimension to the controversy, with his departure from the NCP and subsequent alignment with the NDA raising suspicions about the underlying motivations behind his actions.
His attendance at an Opposition bloc meeting in Patna, followed by his defection to the NDA alongside Ajit Pawar and other leaders, has raised questions about political opportunism and backroom dealings.
Meanwhile, Patel's alleged ties to Deepak Talwar have come under renewed scrutiny, with investigations into a separate money laundering case adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing legal saga. The allegations of Patel purchasing properties from underworld figure Iqbal Mirchi have further tarnished his reputation, despite his vehement denials of any wrongdoing.